Well, Eminem has come out with yet another album. I believe that this is his seventh studio album and it is another success! I actually had no clue that he has come out with so many albums until recently, but it does make sense. He has been a stable artist and has continued (minus a 3-year hiatus between 2006-2009) to have a presence in the music world ever since I started listening to music; this is something I will commend him for because he is not someone who went big and then went home.
Recovery, which followed Relapse and was originally going to be called Relapse II, was released on June 18, 2010. The production of this album took place from 2007 to 2010 and was handled by several record producers. In an interview Eminem explained that the album was more “emotionally driven” than the first Relapse record. There are many mixed feelings about the album. Some say that it was a failed attempt at rapping with feeling about his recovery from the depression, drugs, and more. Others say that he has done a great job. One thing is for sure, this album is a whole lot better than Relapse. Even he will admit that! In Relapse, Eminem was definitely trying so hard, while in this one, there is less of a sense of desperation.
This album has a sole focus on the rapper himself. Rather than bringing others into the subjects, he raps about his problems and his life. In this album there are rants about suicidal depression and paranoid love. There is anger and remorse, and passion and self-loathing. There is a lot of emotion in this album, but many say that even though that this is a comeback from Relapse, they doubt that this 37 year old “new Shady” is any different than the old one.
If you are only looking to sneak a preview of the album, check out the hit single “Not Afraid”. It is probably the best song on the album, according to critics. However, it is not up to the reviewers and the critics to decide if you like the album, so take a few moments to check it out some time!
